Wednesday, 29 April 2015

The Hype
Quickies have launched brand new resealable eye makeup remover pads that are designed to suit even the most sensitive skin. The pads are enriched with flower extract and moisturising oil to help soothe and cleanse the sensitive eye area. The formula is fragrance and colour free but is still versatile enough to remove even the most stubborn and long lasting makeup, including waterproof mascara.

The new product is just one of a large range that includes anti-bacterial wipes, deodorant wipes and hand and nail cleansing wipes.

The Lowdown
This colourful little pack is really small and quite slim so it's easy to slip into the corner of your bag. Each pad is very moisturised and is just the right size to cover each eye.

When removing my makeup I wiped the pad over my eyes and tried to avoid the temptation to rub which can get the makeup off quicker. The pad does remove the makeup although it does take a little while and I had to use two pads to fully remove everything. With only 30 pads in the packet you may find they run out pretty quickly. When using the product I didn't suffer any irritation or soreness, which is always a plus for sensitive skin.

The makeup remover pads are super easy to use and store but won't last that long and it may get expensive having to constantly restore them.

I give them 3/5

Advantages

Super compact so they can be fitted into the smallest of spaces

Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin

Moisturising

Disadvantages

Quite small and can take a little while to remove makeup so the pads may not last very long

Monday, 27 April 2015

Whilst our body may crave stodgy carbs like buttery mash, big bowls of pasta and steaming bowls of rice it's actually not as good for your body as it tastes. Carbohydrates are essential for energy but we often eat more then our daily recommended allowance (300g) which results in us not getting the energy we require. Instead of opting for the easy option why not mix it up with a high fibre wholegrain alternative that you can combine with vegetables. It will help you to stay fuller for longer and will give your body a healthy boost too.

Why should I switch? Pasta may taste amazing but it's very heavy on your system and can cause you to bloat. By making spaghetti from courgettes (yes it is possible) you're creating a lighter version of your favourite meal, which is and full of flavour and less likely to make you bloat. Courgettes are packed with potassium which your body needs to manage blood pressure.How do I make it? For the recipe use two courgettes per person and use a vegetable peeler or mandoline slicer to make long strips of courgette. Once you have sliced the courgette use a long sharp knife to cut them into thin spaghetti strands. Soften the courgettes in a pan for five minutes with a bit of oil and serve with pesto and lentils.

Why should I switch? Chips are a easy choice when we need a quick pick me up but they're probably one of the unhealthiest varieties of potato available. Roasted sweet potato wedges are full of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that's great for your skin and your immune system. Beta-carotene has enough carbohydrate content to fill you up but a lower glycemic index (GI) then white potatoes so they avoid dramatic spikes in your blood levels which provides your body with a more balanced source of energy.How do I make it? Cut one medium sized potato into wedges and arrange on a baking tray. Season your wedges with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil and roast in the oven for 30 minutes at 200'C. Best served with grilled chicken or fish.

Why should I switch? White rice contains very little nutritional content and can contain a lot of sodium. Cauliflowers make a great carbohydrate replacement as it has a firm texture and is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin K. As with all cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale and cabbage, cauliflower contain nutrients that helps your body to detox.How do I make it? Choose a medium sized cauliflower floret, pulse it in a blender or use a grater to get a rice like texture. Sauté half a small onion and two cloves of garlic then add the cauliflower rice and cook for five minutes. Use it with meats like chicken or turkey for a tasty dinner.

Friday, 24 April 2015

Do you want a product that helps you to create a lovely rosy glow without having to run around the block in the morning? Check out my review of ModelCo Creme Rouge Blusher in Just Peach.
What did you think of the product?

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

During one of my recent beauty hauls I bought a lot of beauty products from the Ps Love range in Primark. The range is available at amazingly low prices and have everything from mascara to nail art pens. Have a look at my latest video review of PS Love... 4 eyeshadow palette.

Friday, 17 April 2015

April's Birchbox is all about celebrating the Royal baby (who's yet to be born) and claims to be a Royally good box. With five beauty samples and a beauty bonus it sounds great, find out what I thought of the contents below.

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

The Hype
Budget beauty brand Collection have unleashed a new range of nude eye palettes.

The new range has three palettes that all take a different twist on the nude look: Nude, Nude Grey and Nude Bronze.

The LowdownThe palettes are fantastic value at only £3.99 for 6 shades and the colours can easily be interchanged, worn alone or together for different looks. For this review I am testing out the original Eyes Uncovered in Nude.

The palette has four pigmented light beige/gold and brown/grey shades and two matte light and dark colours. The palette has the standard sponge tipped double applicator so you can apply on the move if you don't have your own brushes to hand.

Whilst I only tested the Nude palette I have seen swatches of Nude Grey and Nude Bronze and have to say the pigmentation in the palettes are fantastic and you can easily go from day to night with the addition of a extra shade.

When swatched I found Buttercream and Biscuit were quite pigmented although the other shades were quite flat with Chocolate Milk, Brown Sugar, Espresso and White Chocolate looking very matte.

I used the palette to create a everyday look using Biscuit, Buttercream and Espresso and although the look was okay it wasn't as pigmented as I thought it might be.

The Nude palette is great for a everyday look although I would say it's probably a bit too pale for a day to night transformation.

Monday, 13 April 2015

The Hype
Pixi by Petra Lip Blush is a range of long lasting, sheer yet pigmented lip stains.

The range which comes in four shades, Energy, Purity, Youth and Luck are designed to provide a matte colour that lasts for a minimum of 8 hours. The Lip blush has a unique feather light water stain that provides long lasting deep colour that does not dry out your lips.

Lips are left supple and hydrated and the colour can be built up with darkened layers.

The LowdownFor the purpose of the review I am trying the lip stain in Energy. The packaging is super cute and really stands out with the contrast of the light green package and gold trim. Instead of a typical lipstick/lipgloss format the lip stain is essentially like a marker pen. With a marker tip the product is really easy to apply and you can direct it exactly where you want it.

When swatched the colour was really faint so I was worried it wouldn't have much of a effect. It is however easy to build up colour to create more of a impact. The consistency of the product is quite watery but the colour easily transfers onto my lips. There was no dryness or stickiness once it was applied either.

The colour is pleasant but even after layering it on the colour impact is minimal.

Unfortunately the product started to fade within a hour and things like licking my lips (which I can't help doing) and eating and drinking reduce it even more. Considering the product claims to last 8 hours I was extremely disappointed it didn't even last one.

I had read many positive reviews on this product with claims that it lasted for hours, which I find hard to believe. When I buy a lip product I expect it to last and I don't think a water based product really has the potential to do that.

Friday, 10 April 2015

I'm a little late in reviewing this as they were launched a few months ago, but better late then never hey!

I haven't seen many reviews of Barry M Natural Glow Eyeshadow and Primer palette 2 (not on Youtube anyway) so I thought I would get my opinion out there. Have a look and let me know if you agree or if you've had a different experience with the palette.

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

The Hype
Crowned the winners of the Hair Awards 2013 Beautiful Brunette shampoo and conditioner helps to
brighten natural and colour treated brunette hair. The shampoo aims to rehydrate, soften and smooth
dry hair whilst the conditioner works to infuse a smooth silky feel.

The Lowdown
Both the shampoo and conditioner product formula had a normal consistency but was brown in colour. The product reminded me a lot of John Frieda's Brilliant Brunette products and it was uncanny how similar they looked.

Whilst washing I found my hair felt very clean and polished. After drying my did have some shine, and felt really soft with a minimal amount of brightening.

I have to say I was surprised this product won a award as it didn't really blow me away. The shampoo and conditioner are only £1 so they are great value and they are effective at cleaning and softening your hair but I was probably expecting a little more shine if I'm honest. If you were looking for a new budget shampoo and conditioner I would probably recommend Creightons Keratin Pro as it made my hair look fab :)

Tuesday, 7 April 2015

You may not believe it but affordable and effective skincare does exist. When you're shopping for skincare products look for products that incorporate specific ingredients.

Hyaluronic acid is a regular in most skincare products and glycerin and sorbitol are cheaper ingredients that help to hydrate skin. Vitamins A, B, C and E all have different qualities but ultimately will work to help reduce the signs of ageing and improve the quality of your skin.

Ingredients such as Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B) work effectively at combating wrinkles and breakouts and are found in affordable skincare brands like Olay and Clinique.

Many women are under the impression that you need to spend a lot of money in order to get a skincare product that actually works. Luckily for all you budget conscious ladies that is simply not the case.

Often the more expensive products are a let down and the cheaper products tend to perform better in blind test trials.

UV rays contribute to 80% of skin ageing yet statistics show that women only spend around 3% of what they spend on skin care on effective SPF products. Skip buying expensive products that contain ingredients such as gold particles and collagen as they're too large to penetrate your skin and will have little or no effect. Soap and Glory Make Yourself Youthful Sunshield Superfluid (£11.75 at Amazon) has a SPF of 50 and based on its value for money is one beauty buy you won't regret buying.

Monday, 6 April 2015

We all know the feeling, you're at work, it's almost the end of the day and you find yourself starting to drop off. By incorporating 6 everyday items into your diet you'll find you're more productive and your mind stays focused on your work.

When life gives you lemons...
Lemon has citric acid which helps to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. Use it to spice up plain water by squeezing in a few drops or squeeze it on to salads. Lemon really helps to bring out the flavour in food and make that salad taste a little more exciting.

Minestrone keeps you going for hours
Minestrone soup is fantastic for a afternoon energy boost. If you make it from scratch you can incorporate kidney beans which are a great source of Thiamin and Riboflavin. These vitamins are
essential to help your body use energy more effectively.

Crunch your way to a clear mood
When we're at work we often crave snack food like crisps in order to relieve pent up emotions. It's
thought that the jaw movement involved reduces our stress and anger to a normal level. Instead of
snacking on crisps why not try crudites, a selection of mixed raw vegetables like carrots or cherry
tomatoes. You'll be enriching your diet with Vitamin rich food and relieving your stress levels at the same time - win win!

Swap sweets for yoghurt
One of the major cravings when you're at work is for something sweet to perk you up when you start to flag. Instead of reaching for a digestive or Mr Kipling's Victoria Slice why not opt for a yoghurt. You can mix it with cucumber to make a healthy Tzatziki dip for your crudites or eat it with a handful of blueberries for a extra sweet kick. Aim for any organic plain Greek yoghurt or Yeo Valley Organic Greek yoghurt. Steer clear of reduced fat or flavoured yoghurts as often when fat is removed it is substituted with something that helps to retain the flavour of fat such as sugar. You can recreate taste naturally with fresh fruit or honey.

Oranges have a calming effect
Many jobs are hectic and often have constant deadlines that can leave you frazzled. Orange contains a molecule called hesperidin that can help to lower your blood pressure. Whilst the molecule is found in orange juice you'll probably find it's better to eat a whole orange as you'll get fibre and hesperidin.

Keep the momentum going with oatcakes
To avoid a last minute crash keep yourself going with oatcakes. They're one of the healthiest crackers available and give you soluble fibre which has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol. It also has low GI which helps to keep your blood sugar level steady and is slowly digested to help you keep fuller for longer. To spice it up a little top your oatcakes with peanut butter, it's full of protein and unsaturated fat.

Friday, 3 April 2015

Todays nail tutorial is sweet and very simple and you only need two products to recreate it.

To recreate simply follow the following steps:
1. Paint your nail in a pale pink (or white) shade
2. Draw a small line diagonally across the top of your nails
3. Draw the top part of your bow along the line
4. Finish the bow with two ribbons underneath the line.
5, Repeat for the rest of your nails

Thursday, 2 April 2015

It's another Latest in Beauty collaboration - this time it's a unusual mix - Capital FM. The budget beauty box is full of great budgets that far outweigh the value of the box. Watch the video and find out what's inside and discover a range of new items that can shape up your look for Spring.

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

When you see beauty products that are cheap do you stick your nose up automatically assuming they'll be of poor quality? Whilst that may be true for some products, some cheaper beauty items are of the same standard as their pricier counterparts.

The other week I had a budget beauty splurge, check out what I bought.